Paterson NJ vs Spokane Valley WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 105,460 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 85.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $70,722 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,235 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 24.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.2% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Paterson, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Paterson, NJChicago, IL vs Paterson, NJHouston, TX vs Paterson, NJPaterson, NJ vs Phoenix, AZPaterson, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA